Friday Night Lights [Seasons 1-3]

Friday Night Lights is an American television series adapted by Peter Berg, Brian Grazer and David Nevins from a book and film of the same name. The series details events surrounding the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team based in fictional Dillon, Texas, with particular focus given to the team's coach, Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his family. The show uses this small-town backdrop to address many issues facing contemporary Middle America.
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CHARACTERS:
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As a show about the community of Dillon, Texas and how the football team affects the town as a whole, Friday Night Lights has an ensemble cast. While screen time of characters varies from episode to episode, the show is most focused on Panthers' football coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), who strives to balance his emphasis on family, his status in a sometimes confrontational community, and his personal ambitions. His family - wife Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), a guidance counselor turned principal at Dillon High, and teenage daughter Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) - are also central to the show. When Tami becomes pregnant and gives birth to Gracie Taylor, tensions within the family increase and Julie becomes more rebellious.

Outside of the Taylor family, the show focuses on the respective lives of the Dillon's high school football players. In the series' first episode, star quarterback Jason Street (Scott Porter) suffers an injury that leads to an end to his football career and a wheel chair-bound life which Jason resists and learns to cope with throughout the series. Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly), who at the time of Jason's injury was his girlfriend, parallels his story, as she goes from a Panther cheerleader to a Christian youth leader.

As a result of Jason's injury, shy and nervous Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) becomes the Panthers' starting quarterback and eventually dates Julie. It is also revealed that Matt's father is serving in Iraq and that he must therefore care for his grandmother Lorraine Saracen (Louanne Stephens) by himself, with help only from his best friend Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons), and eventual live-in nurse and love interest Carlotta Alonso (Daniella Alonso). Brash star running-back Brian Smash Williams's (Gaius Charles) quest for a college-football scholarship and full-back Tim Riggins' (Taylor Kitsch) tale of on-and-off alcoholism and party-life are told as well. Tyra Collette (Adrianne Palicki) also stars as a town vixen who goes from Tim's occasional girlfriend to Landry's lover following Landry's defense of her from a rapist.
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SEASON ONE
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Season one revolves around two main events: the ascension of coach Eric Taylor to the position of head coach and the paralysis of star quarterback Jason Street. These two events set off a chain reaction that leads the series through its first season.

Coach Taylor's career depends on his ability to get the Dillon Panthers to the state championship. If the team suffers a losing streak, he knows his family, which includes daughter Julie, will no longer be welcome in Dillon.

Meanwhile, Tami Taylor lands a job as a counselor at the local high school. Over the course of the season, she becomes a support and a mentor to many of the students and her position plays a pivotal role in the season finale, which leaves viewers wondering whether Eric will leave Dillon to accept a coveted coaching job with a university.

Matt Saracen and Jason Street must struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds. Street must learn to live without the use of his legs in a town that seems to be moving on without him, while Saracen must rise to be worthy of the position he has inherited. As Street's friendship with Herc, his rehab roommate and wheelchair rugby teammate, grows stronger, so does his will and independence. The new role of QB1 is an unenviable task for the timid Matt, as he also must care for his ill grandmother while his father is fighting in Iraq. Causing further headaches, Matt falls in love with Coach Taylor's daughter, Julie, who loathes Texas life and dislikes football. She nevertheless falls for Matt because of his bumbling awkwardness and, above all, his modest decency. Their relationship slowly blossoms over the course of the season,

Also explored is the pressure on the cocky, driven Brian "Smash" Williams. Easily the most promising player on the Panthers' roster, he works hard to achieve excellence and sees his future career as instrumental in providing his family a better life. Life has been hard for Williams' family since his father was killed in a car accident, and financial constraints have led his mother Corrine to take multiple jobs just to get the family by. At one point, he decides that he's willing to risk his health by using performance enhancing drugs to make sure he gets a college football scholarship.

Tim Riggins is an unfocused alcoholic with absentee parents and no prospects beyond high school. However, he is shown to be a loyal friend with a good heart. Unfortunately, his good intentions seem to be repeatedly derailed by his own missteps.

Tyra Collette, like many of the other characters, comes from a broken home, where her mom falls in and out of abusive relationships. Tyra begins the season as Tim’s girlfriend, but as Season One progresses, thanks to Landry Clark — the school math geek and Saracen’s best friend — she starts to see the faintest glimmer of hope that she might get out of Dillon and discontinue the cycle that her mother and her sister (a stripper) seem destined to continue.

Meanwhile, Lyla goes through some of the biggest changes as she begins the season as a bubbly, optimistic, sweet-natured girl. Faced with the heartbreaking reality of Jason's injury, Lyla sleeps with Jason's best friend Tim Riggins. Though Jason and Lyla reconcile, Jason begins growing closer to another woman and at the same time Lyla learns about her father's many adulterous affairs. It is at this point that Lyla moves past her dependence on other men to grow into a more independent woman.
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SEASON 1 EPISODES: 2006-2007
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S01E01 (1) "Pilot"
October 3, 2006
The first episode tells the story of new coach Eric Taylor, who finds himself coaching high school football in Dillon, a small Texas town deep in a tradition of winning. However, the first football game of the season harbors dark tidings for star quarterback Jason Street.
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S01E02 (2) "Eyes Wide Open"
October 10, 2006
As the town turns to faith and prayer to deal with star quarterback Jason Street's serious injury, Coach Taylor turns to an untested backup quarterback, Matt Saracen, to anchor the team. Meanwhile, tensions reach a boiling point between teammates Tim Riggins and Brian "Smash" Williams, and Jason's girlfriend, Lyla Garrity, provides support to her fallen boyfriend.
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S01E03 (3) "Wind Sprints"
October 17, 2006
When the Panthers are out of sync without Street in a game against underdog South Millbank, Coach Taylor is subjected to the wrath of the community, the media, and players' parents. As team morale plummets, he goes to drastic measures to unite his players. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor is pressured to recruit a new quarterback, and Jason and Lyla get into a fight.
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S01E04 (4) "Who's Your Daddy"
October 24, 2006
The Panthers prepare for a fierce battle against their archrival, Arnett Meade. When their field house is vandalized, apparently by Arnett Meade students, the team plots retaliation. Meanwhile, cool and intimidating new quarterback, Ray “Voodoo” Tatum, showcases his athletic prowess, Jason gets an obnoxious new roommate at the hospital, and Coach Taylor holds the traditional team dinner at his house.
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S01E05 (5) "Git 'Er Done"
October 30, 2006
As the town and team anticipate a big Friday night game against Arnett Meade, Coach Taylor weighs heavily whether to start Matt or Voodoo. Meanwhile, sparks fly between Tyra and a young businessman from Los Angeles, Jason begins rehabilitation exercises, and Lyla's secret relationship with Tim begins to sizzle.
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S01E06 (6) "El Accidente"
November 7, 2006
Pressure mounts over the Texas High School Athletic Administration's investigation into whether Dillon illegally recruited Voodoo. Meanwhile, player Bobby Reyes brutally assaults one of Matt's brainy buddies, and Tim and Lyla spring the injured Jason out of the hospital for a surprise trip.
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S01E07 (7) "Homecoming"
November 14, 2006
Homecoming at Dillon brings back a throng of alumni, including the quarterback from the 2000 state champions, Lucas Mize, who harbors dark secrets. Meanwhile, Tyra and Billy, Tim's brother, plan a killer postgame party, Smash focuses on impressing a college recruiting expert, Tim tries to quit drinking, and Jason grows more suspicious of Lyla's relationship with Tim.
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S01E08 (8) "Crossing The Line"
November 28, 2006
Disheartened by his ineffective performance on the field, Smash resorts to drastic measures to strengthen his game. Along the way, he takes a job at the Alamo Freeze, working alongside Matt. Meanwhile, Tim and Tyra rekindle their dormant relationship, Jason prepares to participate in a rugby scrimmage for paraplegics, and Julie contemplates going out with Matt.
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S01E09 (9) "Full Hearts"
December 5, 2006
Tension escalates as the Panthers anticipate a game with highly touted Gatling High, which has special meaning for Smash. Tami and Buddy negotiate with Gatling boosters for an acceptable hotel for the visiting Panthers. Meanwhile, rumors spread about Lyla and Tim's forbidden relationship, Smash continues to go to extremes to strengthen his gridiron performance, and Julie and Matt's first date is plagued with problems.
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S01E10 (10) "It's Different for Girls"
December 12, 2006
The Dillon cheerleading squad preps for a championship as rumors spread about Lyla's forbidden affair with Tim, causing Lyla to fall victim to merciless harassment. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor stands in the way of his daughter's budding relationship with Matt, Jason adapts to life at home, and Smash inches closer to the preacher's daughter.
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S01E11 (11) "Nevermind"
January 3, 2007
Matt's father makes a surprise return visit from Iraq for two weeks, only to emerge as a man far removed from the heroic figure Matt remembered. Meanwhile, Jason and Lyla begin to rekindle their relationship, and Landry tutors an academically challenged Tim.
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S01E12 (12) "What to Do While You're Waiting"
January 10, 2007
During a bye week, the Panthers' seasonal destiny rests on the outcome of a game between two rivals. Meanwhile, Matt's father, far removed from the violence in Iraq, adapts to life at home, the Streets continue to push for a lawsuit against Coach Taylor, and Tyra deals with her mother's dysfunctional relationship with her boyfriend.
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S01E13 (13) "Little Girl I Wanna Marry You"
January 24, 2007
Tension builds as the Panthers find the playoffs only one game away. Off-field dramas continue when Smash's mother makes a discovery that could destroy her son's gridiron dreams. Meanwhile, Tyra confronts her mom's insecurities, and Jason ruminates on his relationship with Lyla.
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S01E14 (14) "Upping the Ante"
January 31, 2007
The Panthers' postseason destiny becomes clearer as they play a crucial game. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor deals with Smash's personal demons, a mismatched Tyra and Julie connect in an unexpected friendship, Tim reunites with his estranged father, and Buddy makes a discovery about Jason and Lyla.
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S01E15 (15) "Blinders"
February 7, 2007
The Panthers savor their crucial playoff win---until race issues emerge and sorely test their bond. Elsewhere, Tami frowns upon Julie's newfound friendship with Tyra, the Riggins brothers adapt to life with their recently returned father, and the girls play a game of powder-puff football. With Julie at quarterback, and Tyra as linebacker, all bets are off.
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S01E16 (16) "Black Eyes & Broken Hearts"
February 14, 2007
Racial tensions are at an all time high as the black players on the Dillon Panthers won't play unless Mac McGill is fired for his comments. While Coach Taylor deliberates between firing one of his best coaches and succumbing to his players' demands, Julie's friendship with Tyra becomes more and more destructive. Meanwhile, Jason makes a life-changing decision and Matt does whatever he can to win Julie back.
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S01E17 (17) "I Think We Should Have Sex"
February 21, 2007 (2007-02-21)
The Panthers claw their way deeper into the playoffs. Off the field, Julie shocks Matt by telling him that they should make love—but numerous fumbles ensue when Matt works to find the right time and place for the special moment. Meanwhile, Tim's relationship with his father begins to shatter; and Street bonds with a pretty tattoo artist.
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S01E18 (18) "Extended Families"
February 28, 2007
The Panthers make a push for the state semifinals; a banished Buddy moves in with the Taylors after his affair is exposed; Waverly uncharacteristically takes Smash on a sexy midnight swim, and Smash discovers that she has stopped taking her mood-disorder medication; and Riggins and a neighborhood boy strike up a friendship.
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S01E19 (19) "Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes"
March 21, 2007
With TMU knocking on Coach Taylor's door, Julie decides to make it very clear to her parents that she does not intend to move away from Dillon and Matt. Meanwhile, Jason gets some devastating news from the quad rugby recruiters in Austin. Elsewhere, Riggins befriends a single mother and her son.
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S01E20 (20) "Mud Bowl"
March 28, 2007
With the final game before the state championships looming, an unforeseen event jeopardizes the Panthers' home-turf advantage. Meanwhile, Taylor fears his players are losing grasp of the true spirit of football, so he tries to instill in them a love of the game.
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S01E21 (21) "Best Laid Plans"
April 4, 2007
Coach Taylor contemplates taking a position at Texas Methodist University and makes a rash decision that could turn his family topsy-turvy. As the Panthers gear up for the State Championship game, Tyra's secret is finally revealed. With tension off the field reaching a boiling point, everything comes to a head at the annual Panther Roast. Meanwhile, Jason Street plays a major role in helping Matt Saracen prepare for the